Time For The Blues To Light The Fuse!

In what has turned out to be one of the most unpredictable seasons in the history of the Sky Bet Championship, Ipswich Town have the chance to end their season on a notable high by making the play-offs and once again it is in their own hands!

The top eight teams have four games to play and the advantage Town have is that they have two more of those four at home, starting tomorrow with Cardiff City the visitors to Portman Road.

Ipswich have a slender goal difference advantage on both Brentford and Wolves but another win tomorrow night and that could be improved upon discernibly if of course we can keep a clean sheet and score some goals!

Manager Mick McCarthy has said that winning is all that matters now and although it is indeed the top priority, trying to improve on our goals tally could also decide who gets that final play-off place so we should never underestimate it.

McCarthy has said that he does not expect his side to roll teams over because this has not occurred all season but if ever there was a time to start doing it then surely it is now!

Our tendency to sit on leads is all too apparent this term and I think the gaffer would be wise to tell his players again and again that one goal is never enough!

In the case of self-destruct Ipswich Town sometimes even two will not do!

I am hoping that Luke Varney recovers in time to face Cardiff because I think he has shown promise and has provided us with something different up front.

Freddie Sears is on fire at the moment and helps to compensate for the absence of David McGoldrick with his quick brain and sharp feet.

Daryl Murphy has gone a little quiet of late on the goal scoring front it has been noted, although his his all round contribution to the team performance is still very impressive and he turned provider on Saturday, with a delightful cross for the winning goal against Blackpool.

Teddy Bishop played the full 90 minutes on Saturday and it will be interesting to see if the manager plays him again against Cardiff?

Paul Anderson came on after Varney departed but he looked a bit ring rusty and went absent without leave on a number of occasions.

I would imagine that McCarthy would pick a similar team to the one he played against The Seasiders assuming everyone is fit?

He nearly always springs one surprise though and I would like to think he would bring Stephen Hunt into the side if Varney is still out of action because although winning is the main thing, it is time for Town to light the fuse on the goal scoring front as well and Hunt has the wherewithal to make things happen!

The Welsh club won their last match away at Leeds United so they art not resting on the laurels and will be a real threat.

As usual though an early goal would settle the nerves of both the players and the fans alike so let us hope we make a good start!


F.W. Vital Ipswich